Las Vegas

Plan your weekend in Vegas with our complete guide (2022 edition)

Start planning your perfect weekend in Vegas with us!

With its famous casinos, gourmet restaurants, and fabulous shows, Las Vegas is a must-visit destination if you’re going to Nevada.

Once in town, don’t forget to explore the famous hotels and casinos along the Strip, home to the best diners, performances, and clubs in Las Vegas.

Although the city is fascinating to explore year-round, experts suggest visiting in winter, right after the summer tourist season ends.

Indeed, in decades past, Vegas was once the entertainment destination for the rich and famous, from Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe – not to mention sports stars like Dennis Rodman. The bright lights and thrills of Las Vegas now attract millions of visitors each year.

Weekend in Vegas | Tips, and secrets for a perfect trip

It’s no secret that planning a Las Vegas vacation is often complicated – from finding suitable accommodations to avoiding spending all your money in the casinos or getting married to a stranger!

That’s why we’ve created this Las Vegas itinerary just for you so that you can plan your trip as smartly as possible. 

In this Las Vegas itinerary, we’ll show you how to make the most of your 48 hours in Las Vegas and provide you with all the best information about the entertainment capital of the world!

Travel tips | How to get around Vegas 

Are you at the airport and looking for the best way to get to the city? Here you will find all the information you need.

Weekend in Vegas | Airport options

Your Vegas weekend itinerary will start comfortably, given that you have several options to move from the Harry Reid International Airport (LAS).

You can book a taxi, use a ride-hailing service, or, for a low-cost ride, try a shuttle or public bus.

For example, RTC buses and shuttle companies offer Terminals 1 and 3. 

Car rentals are also available at the airport (and throughout the city), but unless you’re going to the Hoover Dam or the Grand Canyon, we suggest you choose another option.

Unfortunately, traffic along the Strip is heavy, and parking is scarce and expensive.

Also, many of the best Las Vegas tours take you from the Strip to Hoover Dam or the Grand Canyon if you don’t feel like driving yourself. 

WAX (Westcliff Airport Express)

The benefit of WAX is that it’s economical. Since this bus runs on the municipality route (residential) and not the tourist route, the fare is less expensive than Deuce and SDX.

It costs $2 per trip ($3 for 2 hours, $5 for 24 hours).  

Downside: this bus only makes one stop on the Strip (Tropicana Boulevard and Las Vegas), so it’s convenient if you want to get to the MGM Grand, Tropicana, Excalibur, and New York-New York. 

Las Vegas monorail

To get to the other hotels, you’ll need to use the Monorail (a 5-minute walk from the MGM station).
If you’re based on the Strip, the Monorail provides fast transportation to many casinos along the Strip like the MGM Grand and Harrah’s Las Vegas.
The Las Vegas Monorail offers mobile tickets and several fare types to suit travel needs, from a one-way trip to an unlimited-ride pass.

Streetcars

Anyway, the Monorail isn’t the only public option in Las Vegas. Three streetcars run on the west side of the Vegas Strip, unlike the Monorail.
Even if they have shorter routes, they are free and valuable if you want to get from one hotel to another.
Downside: not all of them are connected by the same line, and the trams run less frequently than the Monorail.

Mandalay Bay Tram

The Mandalay Bay Tram offers two different services with different schedules.
Stations are always well signposted and located inside (Mandalay) or outside hotels (Excalibur and Luxor).

• All Stops Tram (from south to north): Excalibur – Luxor – Mandalay Bay. The tram runs from Thursday to Saturday (9:00 am to 2:30 am) and from Sunday to Wednesday (9:00 am to12:30 am);
• Express Tram (from north to south): it stops at the Excalibur and Mandalay Bay and runs Monday to Friday (11:00 am to12:30 am) and Saturday and Sunday (11:00 am to 2:30 am).

Las Vegas Bus Services

In Las Vegas, there are 24-hour bus lines both along the Strip and Downtown.

They are operated by the RTC (Acronym for Regional Transportation Commission) and are perfect for getting around comfortably.

Buses for tourism

There are two other bus lines in Las Vegas, Deuce, and SDX, which are not classic. 

They are designed primarily for tourists and, like the entire city, are made for catching your attention.

The first, the Deuce, is a golden double-decker bus. The second, the SDX, looks more like a train than a bus, yet it travels the city’s streets.

A ticket for the Deuce line is also valid for SDX.

Deuce | Detailed information

The Deuce stops on different areas of the Strip at almost every major casino. Still, Las Vegas’ gold double-decker buses can also be helpful for those who want to head north of the Strip to the Fremont Street Experience, Vegas’ other main point of interest.

• It costs $6 for 2 hours and $8 for 24 hours. Reduced fares are available.
• You can buy Deuce tickets from machines or on the bus. Remember always to give the exact amount of money because it does not change. This also applies to the SDX.
• Buses run all the time, approximately every 15 minutes from 7:00 am to 2:00 am and every 20 minutes from 2:00 am to 7:00 am.
• Operating hours are reduced in the night and early morning for the following stops: Welcome to Las Vegas Sign, Sunset, Town Square, LV Premium Outlets – South, South Strip Transfer Terminal (SSTT).

SDX

As we’ve already mentioned, Strip & Downtown Express (SDX) is a luxury bus line that resembles a train in every way.

Just like a train, it moves faster than the Deuce, thanks to a system of express lanes and fewer stops along the Strip.

You can also get to the Fremont Experience faster with SDX buses.

SDX ticket costs $6 for 2 hours $8 for 24 hours and also allows you to use the Deuce buses in the selected time frame. 

Buses run from 9:00 am to midnight and pass every 15 minutes.

Downtown Loop

A free shuttle in Las Vegas lets you tour downtown for free (including the Fremont Experience). Its name is Downtown Loop and stops at:

• Bonneville Transit Center
• The Arts District
• Pawn Plaza
• Fremont East Entertainment District
• Mob Museum
• Fremont Street Experience – Main Street (south of Fremont Street)
• Las Vegas North Premium Outlets.

This line runs from Mo to Thu from 11:30 am to 8:30 pm. Fri to Sat from 3:00 pm to 12:00 am. Su from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Taxi

Despite the excellent bus system in the city, a taxi is the best choice if you want to get around quickly.

You’ll find many taxis along Las Vegas Blvd and in front of all major hotels, so it’s easy to catch them.

Fares start at about $3.50, with each additional mile costing $2.76.
While this may seem like an expensive service, consider that up to five people can ride in the same taxi so that you can split the costs.

You can also book with one of the most popular ride-hailing companies: Uber and Lyft.

Walking

Because the Strip can often be congested, walking is sometimes the best way to make your Vegas trip more efficient.

Beware, though, that even though the main street in Las Vegas is only about 4 miles long, it’s a hot desert road.

So before you know it, you could end up with a nasty sunburn or a case of heatstroke.

If you’re planning on walking around, make sure you’re meticulous with sunscreen and armed with plenty of water.

Cars

You can rent a car right at the airport, as soon as you arrive, and at many agencies throughout the city.

It could be a valuable mode of transportation if you want to travel to Hoover Dam, Red Rock Canyon, or the Grand Canyon.

However, if you rent it to get around town, you’ll find yourself becoming increasingly frustrated as you try to navigate traffic and find parking that doesn’t cost a fortune.

Weekend Vegas Itinerary – Day 1

During the first half of the first day, you can take a Hop-On Hop-Off tour to see what Las Vegas is all about. With this informative sightseeing tour around the city, you can know insider tips and historical trivia.

The coolest thing is that since it’s a hop-on hop-off tour if you find something you’re curious about, you can get off and visit it!

Of course, when you’re done exploring, you can catch another bus at the exact location to continue your tour.

The classic tour lasts 2.5 hours total if you stay on the bus the whole time.

Afternoon and night – day 1

If you don’t know where to eat, know that at least one dinner on the patio of Mon Ami Gabi at Paris Las Vegas is a must.

This quaint French cafe is one of the most fantastic spots in the city and offers an incredible dining experience.

And while you’re at it, don’t miss a visit to the Bellagio Fountains.

There are shows every 15 minutes starting at 8 pm and running until midnight.

Weekend Vegas Itinerary – Day 2

Las Vegas is most famous for its brunches. After a good night out, an excellent American breakfast is what you need.

Among the most trendy and tasty places, the best sites indicate The Cosmopolitan. Its delicious food and central location will win you over!

While you taste so many delicacies, don’t forget to order a famous Bottomless Mimosa.

Grand Canyon South Rim Tour

Visiting Las Vegas without seeing the natural wonders nearby is a shame!

A guided bus tour of the Grand Canyon to see the most enchanting sites on the South Rim is a must.

Several shuttles take you directly to the Grand Canyon area. Tickets are available as a premium attraction option with the 3, 4, and 5 day Go Las Vegas passes.

You’ll be able to see the Grand Canyon Railway, Yavapai Point, Mather Point, and many places in Grand Canyon Village.

Grand Canyon Village also has beautiful stores where you can buy souvenirs.

Keep in mind that you will have about 3 hours to explore the National Park, so be sure to make the most of your time.

Weekend Vegas Itinerary – Day 3

Morning – if you’re tired after a day in nature, another rich brunch is what you need. You might want to try Hexx Kitchen+Bar this time. It’s located on S Las Vegas Boulevard, right across from the Bellagio Fountains.

It’s time to visit the Downtown area, the city’s most popular area with casinos and different venues. this is where you can breathe the real Las Vegas air .

Afternoon and night

You can visit the Mob Museum or the National Museum of Organized Crime & Law Enforcement in the afternoon, two fascinating places.

Once the evening comes, the Fremont Street Experience is waiting for you! Here are the oldest hotels in the city, such as the Golden Nugget and the Golden Gate. If you find yourself in Las Vegas, this stop is a must.

Even though these buildings have been adorned with modern neon, they are still reminiscent of the golden age of Rat-Pack Vegas. And even though the floors are sticky, the slots are inexpensive!

Fremont Street has a canopy over the pedestrian area, a zipper line running down the street, and a light show at night.